Urban Development

Urbanism As a Process

As populations shift to cities, the concept of urbanism begins to take on more relevance across the planet. In a recent book, author Jeb Brugmann explores what urbanism means as a trend and a process.

November 2, 2010 - Policy Innovations

Recovering the Real Estate Market By Shifting Development Patterns

The real estate market will only recover once developers start building the types of neighborhoods and places people are demanding, according to Patrick C. Doherty and Christopher B. Leinberger.

November 2, 2010 - Washington Monthly

The Future of Australian Cities

Anton Roux and John Stanley of ON LINE opinion outline the future for Australian cities.

November 1, 2010 - ON LINE opinion

World Series Cast Shadow On Parking Lots Behind AT&T Stadium

Just beyond McCovey Cove, where kayakers await home run balls hit from AT&T Park, sit vast parking lots that Giants bigwigs are proposing could be a great location for a Golden State Warriors stadium.

November 1, 2010 - The San Francisco Chronicle With Bloomberg

The Polarity of Moses and Jacobs

There are two magnetic poles in the realm of urban planning: Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs. But do we have to always be stuck in this tug-of-war?

October 30, 2010 - Urban Omnibus

Vancouver Urbanism in the Suburbs

In suburban Vancouver, a small development near a university is trying to replicate the successes of Vancouver's urbanism with dense building clusters and walkable neighborhoods.

October 30, 2010 - Grist

Can Cities Make Us Happier?

PlaceMaker Hazel Borys explores what might be the most important metric of sustainable places.

October 29, 2010 - PlaceShakers

A New City and Business Hub for South Korea

New Songdo City is rising in South Korea, part of an effort to lure foreign investment and business that will help revitalize the struggling economy.

October 28, 2010 - Architectural Record

Preserving Detroiters' Way of Life

Forbes talks with Detroit Mayor Dave Bing about reshaping the city and how those plans will and won't impact long-time residents who may be opposed to change.

October 28, 2010 - Forbes

Defending The Livable Communities Bill

After Metropolis Magazine took a swipe at Sen. Dodd's Livable Communities Act of 2009, or S.1619, for being "All Carrot, No Stick" or worse, Grist comes to its defense as a necessary bill that would sustain Obama's current smart growth effort.

October 27, 2010 - Grist

The Fire Department Code That Flat-Tops L.A.'s Skyline

All buildings in Los Angeles taller than 75 feet are required to have a flat surface on the roof where helicopters can land, according to a fire department-mandated code. Now leaders are thinking about updating that code -- and the city's skyline.

October 26, 2010 - Curbed LA

The Conflicted Culture of Los Angeles

Christopher Hawthorne reflects on the simultaneous rise of bicycle culture and anti-transit NIMBYs. Can Angelenos come together to move forward when it comes to transportation and the built environment?

October 25, 2010 - The Los Angeles Times

A Return to Physical Planning

Planetizen talks with Peter J. Park, Manager of Community Planning and Development for the City of Denver, Colorado, about the return of physical planning, the city's form-based code, and more.

October 25, 2010 - Tim Halbur

Long Way Down for Dubai's Residential Market

With property values now half their boom-time peaks and a flood of additional supply on the way, the emirate’s residential market may not recover in the foreseeable future, says Angela Shah.

October 23, 2010 - Time

The Aging Driver: A NYT Debate

Prompted by Google's latest invention, the car that drives itself, the NYT sought four different perspectives on how to approach the onslaught of aging baby boomers behind the wheel: An M.I.T. scientist, Rand economist, Yale doctor, and AARP VP.

October 22, 2010 - The New York Times - Opinion - Room For Debate

Philadelphia Riverfront Plan Brings Transformation Closer to Reality

For more than 40 years, the city of Philadelphia has had its sights set on transforming the Delaware Riverfront, but few plans have taken hold and little transformation has actually occurred. A new master plan could finally make it happen.

October 21, 2010 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

China's "Dubai" a Ghost Town

An ambitious new development outside the Chinese city of Ordos lies empty.

October 20, 2010 - The New York Times

The Downfall of 'the Paris of the Middle East'

Historic architecture is rapidly being replaced by cookie-cutter high-rises in Cairo, much to the displeasure of local architects and historians.

October 20, 2010 - BBC

Private Development Bringing Quality Public Space

The relocation of a museum in San Francisco offers a model for how private developments can create quality public space, writes John King.

October 20, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

Neighborhoods As Employment Centers

The spatial needs of commerce and employment are shifting, and cities need to focus on bringing employment centers back to neighborhoods, argues Jay Hoekstra.

October 20, 2010 - Terrain.org

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.